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Messi Becomes World Cup All-Time Top Scorer as Argentina Reach Knockouts

The record reshapes group standings by securing Argentina a place in the last 32 with a game to spare.

Overview

  • Following Monday's game, Lionel Messi missed an early penalty but scored before half-time and again in stoppage time to move past Miroslav Klose and total 18 World Cup goals.
  • Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria guaranteed the defending champions a spot in the knockout rounds with one group match remaining.
  • Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland each scored braces on the same matchday, closing the gap on Messi and intensifying the race for the Golden Boot.
  • France's 3-0 win over Iraq was delayed by nearly two hours because of lightning and heavy rain, making that fixture an almost four-hour match before it finished.
  • Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1, keeping their own knockout hopes alive and eliminating debutants Jordan, and commentators noted Messi's move to Inter Miami and reduced club load as likely factors in his sustained form.